Dave Keon was born 1940 in Noranda Quebec. He wore #14 playing centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs.Keon played 15 seasons with Toronto from 1960 to 1975.
Keon won the Calder Trophy in the 1960-61 as rookie of the year. In 1962 and 1963 He won the Lady Byng Trophy for most gentlemanly player.
Keon was known as a good stick handler being able to thread the puck around his opponents, he had a stick to stick pass and was an excellent checker, Keon used his backhand shot as accurately as his wrist shot, the backhand is considered by goaltenders to be very hard to stop not knowing the angle the puck releases from the stick.
Keon helped his teammates win 4 Stanley Cups in 1962,1963,1964, and 1967. In the 1963 Stanley Cup, it was the 5th game of the final series, Keon would score two short handed goals.
He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1967 for the most valuable player in the playoffs. He became captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs in October 1969.
In the 1970-71 season Keon scored 8 shorthanded goals setting an NHL record. He holds the Leafs record for regular season assists at 493. In the 15 seasons he played with Toronto he had in total only 83 penalty minutes, regular season and playoffs.
After not resigning with the Leafs for the 1975-76 season, because of a no trade clause he wanted in his contract. The owner of the Maple Leafs Harold Ballard cast out one of the best two way players to ever wear the blue and white, a fan favorite. When Keon left the team there was a hole left in fans hearts, sadly missed with no proper send off or thanks for the memories.
Keon joined the WHA for 6 seasons and finished out his career back in the NHL with the Hartford Whalers.
